Where History Meets Magic: Immerse Yourself In The Moonlit Charm Of Lingaraj Temple, Odisha

Aveek Bhowmik
2 min readJun 3, 2023

Exploring Bhubaneswar’s old town at night was like stepping into a captivating time capsule. As I strolled along the streets, temple bells echoed through the air, and the entire place oozed an old-world charm, with ancient buildings and cobblestone lanes guiding my way.

Amid the warm glow of oil lamps, I found myself standing inside the Lingaraj Temple. Its towering spires and magnificent carvings seemed to come alive under the moonlit sky. Though photography wasn’t allowed inside, I managed to capture the exterior’s jaw-dropping grandeur.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of incense and flowers, weaving a tapestry of sensory delights. The temple’s courtyard, too, seemed to come alive with the melodic chants of priests. The air was charged with devotion and reverence, with many devotees paying homage to Lord Lingaraj, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

As I wandered through the vast expanse of the temple complex, every nook and cranny unfolded before me like pages from an ancient manuscript. The intricately carved sculptures seemed to bring alive so many ancient tales. And when the moon played peek-a-boo with the sculptures, it added a touch of magic to the entire experience.

I took a few moments just to pause and just gaze at the temple. Despite weathering incredible storms over the centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, passing of generations, and countless stories of triumph and tragedy, it stands here, proud and magnificent — a testament to the resilience of this incredible structure.

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Aveek Bhowmik

A curious traveller and sports buff, I'm drawn to food, history, cultures & communities. Let’s chat: aveek.bhowmik1611@gmail.com